US5301755A - Air chamber actuator for a perforating gun - Google Patents

Air chamber actuator for a perforating gun Download PDF

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Publication number
US5301755A
US5301755A US08/031,161 US3116193A US5301755A US 5301755 A US5301755 A US 5301755A US 3116193 A US3116193 A US 3116193A US 5301755 A US5301755 A US 5301755A
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United States
Prior art keywords
firing head
low pressure
tubing string
tubing
actuating piston
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US08/031,161
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English (en)
Inventor
Flint R. George
Kevin R. George
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Halliburton Co
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Halliburton Co
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Halliburton Co filed Critical Halliburton Co
Priority to US08/031,161 priority Critical patent/US5301755A/en
Priority to CA002118671A priority patent/CA2118671A1/en
Priority to NO940855A priority patent/NO940855L/no
Priority to DE69406331T priority patent/DE69406331D1/de
Priority to EP94301781A priority patent/EP0615053B1/de
Priority to AU57844/94A priority patent/AU665144B2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US5301755A publication Critical patent/US5301755A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/11—Perforators; Permeators
    • E21B43/116—Gun or shaped-charge perforators
    • E21B43/1185—Ignition systems
    • E21B43/11852—Ignition systems hydraulically actuated

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for perforating wells.
  • tubing conveyed perforating systems are available from the Halliburton Reservoir Services division of Halliburton Company, the assignee of the present invention.
  • One commonly used operating system for tubing conveyed perforating systems is a firing head which operates in response to a pressure differential.
  • the pressure differential is created by applying increased pressure either to the tubing string or to the annulus surrounding the tubing string and conveying that increased pressure to an actuating piston contained in the firing head.
  • a firing head will have hydrostatic pressure balanced across the actuating piston as the tool is run into the well.
  • increased pressure is applied to one side of the actuating piston.
  • the low pressure reference for the actuating piston is hydrostatic pressure
  • a pressure differential is created by increasing pressure on the high pressure side of the piston above hydrostatic pressure.
  • Vann Systems differential firing head shown at page TCP-1020 of Vann Systems Engineered Well Completion Product Catalog.
  • Vann Systems Pressure Actuated Firing Head shown at page TCP-1022 of Vann Systems Engineered Well Completion Product Catalog illustrates a firing head operating in response to increased tubing pressure which creates a pressure differential as compared to an atmospheric pressure chamber which is in constant communication with the low pressure side of the actuating piston.
  • the prior art also includes dual firing heads such as Vann Model APF-C as shown at page TCP-1028 of Vann Systems Engineered Well Completion product catalog.
  • the present invention provides improved methods and apparatus for perforating oil and gas wells with a firing head which operates in response to a pressure differential. This result is achieved in a novel fashion through the use of an atmospheric pressure chamber which is lowered into a well on a wireline and brought into operative engagement with a firing head contained in a tubing conveyed perforating string.
  • the firing head of the tubing conveyed perforating string includes a differential pressure actuating piston which initially has hydrostatic pressure balanced thereacross.
  • the atmospheric pressure chamber is brought into communication with a low pressure side of the actuating piston thus creating a pressure differential wherein the high pressure is hydrostatic pressure and the low pressure is substantially atmospheric pressure.
  • a differential pressure actuation is provided without the need for applying excessive operating pressures to the tubing string.
  • no pressure is required to be applied to the tubing string.
  • FIGS. 1-3 comprise a sequential series of schematic illustrations of a tubing conveyed perforating system utilizing a firing head actuator having an atmospheric pressure chamber with a timer controlling operation of the pressure chamber.
  • FIGS. 4A-4H comprise an elevation sectioned view of a first embodiment of the invention utilizing a pressure actuated pyrotechnic timer associated with the atmospheric pressure chamber.
  • FIG. 5A-5D comprise an elevation sectioned view of the upper portions of a second embodiment of the invention utilizing an electric self-contained timer for operating th atmospheric pressure chamber actuator.
  • a well 10 is represented schematically by a well casing 12 having a well bore or casing bore 14 defined therein.
  • a portion of a tubing string 16 is shown in place within the well bore 14. It will be appreciated that the tubing string 16 is lowered into the well bore 14 from the earth's surface and the tubing string 16 will initially extend entirely to the surface of the well.
  • FIG. 1 only a lower portion of the tubing string 16 is illustrated and an on/off tool 18 has been disconnected from an upper tubing string portion so as to leave the lower portion 16 of the tubing string in place within the well bore.
  • An auto release gun hanger 20 on the lower end of the tubing string 16 anchors the tubing string 16 in place within the well bore 14.
  • the tubing string 16 has assembled therewith a perforated nipple 22, a seating nipple or landing nipple 24, a differential firing head 26, and a perforating gun 28.
  • the upper portion of the tubing string 16 above the on/off tool 18 may carry a conventional packer if desired and the auto release gun hanger may be eliminated if the tubing string 16 is suspended in the well from the drawworks located at the earth's surface or from a packer assembled with the tubing string.
  • the present invention is not directed to these details of the manner in which the tubing conveyed perforating string is retained in the well, but instead deals only with the preferred mechanisms and methods for actuating the tubing conveyed perforating string.
  • the other details commonly associated with a tubing conveyed perforating string will not be illustrated or described in detail and will be understood to be conventional in manner.
  • the differential firing head 26 contains an actuating piston 60 (see FIGS. 4F-4G).
  • a high pressure side 92 of the actuating piston 60 is communicated with a well annulus 32 between tubing string 16 and well bore 14 through a high pressure inlet 34.
  • a low pressure side 100 of the actuating piston 60 is communicated with a lower portion 35 of the tubing bore of tubing string 16 below the seating nipple 24.
  • the seating nipple 24 can be described as dividing the bore of tubing string 16 into an upper tubing bore portion 33 located thereabove and a lower tubing bore portion 35 located therebelow.
  • the lower tubing bore portion 35 can be generally referred to as a low pressure reference zone 35 communicated with the low pressure side 100 of actuating piston 60.
  • the well annulus 32 can generally be referred to as a high pressure reference zone communicated with the high pressure side 92 of actuating piston 60.
  • the tubing string 16 has been placed within the well and a firing head actuator generally designated by the numeral 36 has been landed in the seating nipple 24.
  • the firing head actuator includes a low pressure chamber 38 which preferably is an atmospheric chamber filled with air at substantially atmospheric pressure.
  • the firing head actuator 36 is representative of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A-5D of the application.
  • Firing head actuator 36 includes an electric timer means schematically designated as 40.
  • Firing head actuator 36 includes an electromechanical valve 42 which controls communication of the atmospheric chamber 38 with the lower tubing bore 35.
  • a control system schematically illustrated at 44 is responsive to the timer means 40 and controls the valve means 42.
  • the electric timer means 40 Prior to placement of the firing head actuator 3 in the well 10, the electric timer means 40 is preset so as to allow a predetermined amount of time to pass before the valve 42 is opened.
  • the firing head actuator 36 is then run into the tubing string 16 on a wireline or slick line and is landed in the seating nipple 24 as illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • the control system means 44 will move the valve 42 from the closed position shown in FIG. 2 to the open position represented in FIG. 3 thus allowing fluid trapped at hydrostatic pressure within the lower tubing bore portion 35 to flow into the atmospheric chamber 38 a represented by arrows 46 thus reducing the pressure on the low pressure side 100 of actuating piston 60 of differential firing head 26.
  • High pressure fluid from well annulus 32 will flow in the high pressure inlet 34 as represented by arrows 48 thus moving the actuating piston 60 of differential firing head 26 and causing differential firing head 26 to fire the perforating gun 28.
  • the preset electric timer means 40 allows the well 10 to be placed in an underbalanced condition prior to running the firing head actuator 36 into the well, because the firing head actuator can be operated in response to electric timer means 40 without the need to apply increased pressure to the tubing string 16.
  • FIGS. 4A-4H a detailed description of one embodiment of the invention is provided.
  • the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4H differs somewhat from that schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.
  • the primary difference is that the differential firing head shown in FIGS. 4A-4D utilizes a pressure actuated pyrotechnic time delay device to open the atmospheric pressure chamber, instead of using an electric timer.
  • FIGS. 4A-4H a portion of the tubing string 16 is shown including the landing nipple 24 (see FIG. 4A), the differential pressure firing head 26 (see FIGS. 4E-4H), and the perforating gun (see FIG. 4H).
  • the auto release gun hanger 20 has not been utilized.
  • the seating nipple 24 preferably is an Otis R Nipple available from the Otis Engineering division of Halliburton Company, the assignee of the present invention, such as shown at page 94 of the Otis Products and Services Catalog OEC 5516 (1989).
  • the seating nipple 24 has a seal bore 50 defined therein and has internal recesses 52 and 54 in which a latching device may be received.
  • the seal bore 50 may also be referred to as a seat 50.
  • the differential firing head 26 which is seen in FIGS. 4E-4F actually includes two independent firing mechanisms, either one of which may be considered a primary firing mechanism with the other being a backup firing mechanism.
  • a stinger 56 extends upward from firing head 26 within the lower tubing bore portion 35.
  • Stinger 56 is preferably a stinger of a VannJet firing head available from the Vann Systems division of Halliburton Company, the assignee of the present invention, as illustrated at page TCP-1018 and 1019 of the Vann Systems Engineered Well Completion Product Catalog.
  • the VannJet stinger 56 is of a type well known in the art and it will not be described in detail herein.
  • the pyrotechnic pathway 58 may include pyrotechnic time delay devices.
  • the present invention is concerned primarily with the other firing mechanism of firing head 26, namely a differential pressure actuating piston 60 seen in FIGS. 4F-4G.
  • the differential firing head 26 can be described as having a firing head housing assembly 62 which includes an upper housing adapter 64 to which the stinger 56 is attached at threaded connection 66.
  • Housing assembly 62 further includes a tubing connector housing 68, a shear pin housing 70, a ported housing 72, a firing pin housing 74 and a lower adapter 76 all of which are connected together by conventional threaded connections with 0-ring seals provided at appropriate places as illustrated in the drawings.
  • An inner housing cavity generally designated as 78 is defined within the housing 62 between an inner mandrel 79 on the inside and tubing connector housing 68, shear pin housing 70, and ported housing 72 on the outside.
  • the annular housing cavity 78 receives the previously mentioned actuating piston 60 and other associated structure as will now be described.
  • the actuating piston 60 includes a lower portion 80 having an outer cylindrical surface 82 closely received within a bore 84 of ported housing section 72.
  • An O-ring seal 86 is received within an annular groove defined in the bore 84 and provides a sliding seal between bore 84 and the piston 60.
  • the piston 60 has an inner bore 86 defined therethrough which is closely received about an outer cylindrical surface 88 of inner mandrel 79.
  • An O-ring seal 90 is carried by piston 60 and seals between bore 86 and outer surface 88.
  • Actuating piston 60 has an enlarged diameter intermediate portion 94 which in the initial position of FIG. 4G has a downward facing shoulder 96 abutting an upper end 98 of ported housing section 72.
  • An upper end 100 of piston 60 which may also be referred to as a low pressure side 100 of piston 60 above seals 86 and 90, is communicated with the upper portion of inner housing cavity 78 and is thereby communicated through a port 102 with an external conduit 104 which is communicated through a port 106 seen in FIG. 4B with the lower tubing bore portion 35.
  • the external conduit 104 could be replaced by an internal passage (not shown) communicating annular cavity 78 with lower tubing bore portion 35.
  • Firing piston 114 In the initial position of actuating piston 60 as seen in FIG. 4G, a firing piston 114 is associated therewith.
  • Firing piston 114 includes a plurality of inner sealing rings 116 which engage an outer surface 118 of inner mandrel 79, and includes a plurality of outer seals 120 which engage a bore 122 of ported housing section 72.
  • a plurality of collet fingers 124 extend upward from firing piston 114 and have enlarged heads 126 thereon which are initially held by actuating piston 60 in a retracted position wherein the enlarged heads 126 are received within a groove 128 defined in inner mandrel 79.
  • the firing piston 114 When the firing piston 114 moves downward, it will strike a firing pin 134 thus initiating burning of various elements comprising a second pyrotechnic pathway 136 which will ultimately result in the firing of perforating gun 26 in a conventional manner.
  • the second pyrotechnic pathway 136 may include pyrotechnic time delay devices.
  • FIGS. 4A-4D the details of a firing head actuator 138 are shown.
  • the firing head actuator 138 seen in FIGS. 4A-4D is an alternative embodiment of the firing head actuator 36 which was generally described in reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • the firing head actuator 138 of FIGS. 4A-4D does not use an electrical timer like described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 but instead uses a pyrotechnic time delay device.
  • FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate the firing head actuator 138 after it has been landed in the seating nipple 24.
  • Firing head actuator 138 includes a locking mandrel 140 which has a latch mechanism 142 which latches into the grooves 52 and 54 of seating nipple 24.
  • Locking mandrel 140 carries an outer packing or seal 144 which seals within the seal bore or seat 50 of seating nipple 24.
  • Locking mandrel 140 is preferably an Otis Model 10RO or Model 710RO lock mandrel available from the Otis Engineering division of Halliburton Company, the assignee of the present invention, and designed for use with an Otis R landing nipple, as is illustrated for example at page 94 of the Otis Products and Services Catalog OEC 5516 (1989).
  • the locking mandrel 140 supports the remaining portions of the firing head actuator 138 therebelow suspended from the seating nipple 24.
  • the locking mandrel 140 and various other components of the firing head actuator 138 attached thereto are run into the tubing string 16 by a wireline and a running tool (not shown) which releasably latches into the locking mandrel 140.
  • the running tool may be an Otis ⁇ R ⁇ Running Tool such as Model 41R018701 available from the Otis Engineering division of Halliburton Company.
  • An equalizer valve 145 having an equalizer housing 146 is connected to the lower end of locking mandrel 140 at threaded connection 148.
  • a plurality of equalizing ports 150 extend through equalizer valve housing 146 and communicate the lower tubing bore portion 35 located therebelow through an inner bore 152 of lock mandrel 140 with the upper tubing bore portion 33 located above seal bore 50 of seating nipple or landing nipple 24.
  • a sleeve valve element 154 is slidably received within a bore 156 of equalizer valve housing 146 with upper and lower O-ring seals 158 and 160 provided therebetween.
  • the equalizer valve 145 may be an Otis 20R018701 available from the Otis Engineering division of Halliburton Company.
  • the sliding sleeve valve element 154 When the locking mandrel 140 is initially run into the tubing string 16 on the wireline running tool (not shown), the sliding sleeve valve element 154 is located downward relative to equalizer valve housing 146 from the position shown in FIG. 4A, so that the upper seal 158 is located below the isolation ports 150.
  • the wireline running tool When the wireline running tool is withdrawn from the locking mandrel 140, it pulls the sleeve valve element 154 upward to the position of FIG. 4A wherein the equalizing ports 150 ar closed thus isolating the lower tubing bore portion 35 from the upper tubing bore portion 33 and thus from the well annulus 32 so that any changes in hydrostatic pressure within the well 10 are no longer balanced across the actuating piston 60.
  • the firing head actuator 138 can be described as having an actuator housing assembly 162 which includes the equalizer valve housing 146, actuator piston housing 164, shear pin housing 166, housing coupling 168, time delay housing 170, upper atmospheric chamber end wall housing 172, atmospheric chamber housing 174, and lower housing plug 176.
  • An actuator piston 178 has outer O-rings 180 and 182 which seal within a bore 184 of actuator piston housing 164.
  • the actuator piston 178 has a lower end 186 which abuts an upper end 188 of an actuator firing piston 190.
  • Actuator firing piston 190 carries an upper O-ring seal 192 and lower seals 193 and 195, all closely received within upper bore 194 of shear pin housing 166.
  • a plurality of shear pins 196 initially hold the actuator firing piston 190 in place relative to shear pin housing 166.
  • Actuator piston 190 carries a firing pin 198 on its lower end.
  • a percussion type pyrotechnic initiator 200 is located below firing pin 198 as seen in FIG. 4B.
  • Operatively associated with percussion initiator 200 are first and second pyrotechnic time delay devices 202 and 204 each of which takes a predetermined time to burn thus providing a predetermined time delay between striking of initiator 200 by firing pin 198 and the completion of burning of the time delay devices 202 and 204.
  • a shaped explosive charge 206 is located below second time delay device 204 and operatively associated therewith so that explosive charge 206 is detonated by second time delay device 204 after the predetermined time delay. More than two-time delay devices may be used to provide greater time delays.
  • the upper atmospheric end wall housing 172 closes the upper end of the low pressure chamber 38 thus sealing the same.
  • An upper end wall 208 of atmospheric chamber 38 is defined by the upper atmospheric chamber end wall housing 172.
  • An open bore 210 is located immediately below shaped charge 206 and leads to the upper end wall 208.
  • a communication bore 212 extends diametrically through the upper end wall 208.
  • the shaped charge 206 and associated apparatus may be generally described as an operating means 206 for communicating the lower tubing bore portion 3 with the atmospheric chamber 38 so as to drop pressure in the lower tubing bore portion 35 and to actuate the differential firing head 26.
  • the actuator piston 178, actuator firing piston 190 and percussion initiator 200 may be collectively described as a pressure responsive initiator means for initiating burning of the time delay devices 202 and 204.
  • the time delay devices 202 and 204 may be generally described as a timer means for providing a preset time delay between starting of the timer means with initiator 200 and operation of the shaped charge 206 to communicate the atmospheric chamber 38 with the lower tubing bore 35 and to thereby move the actuating piston 60 and fire the perforating gun 28.
  • FIGS. 5A-5D comprise an elevation sectioned view of the firing head actuator 38 with an electric timer means 40 as was schematically shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • the tubing string 16 and various components thereof previously described are the same in the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5D and thus like numerals are used to identify those parts as were used in FIGS. 4A-4H.
  • the firing head actuator 36 includes a locking mandrel 140 and the equalizer valve 145 just as was utilized with the firing head actuator 138 of FIGS. 4A-4H.
  • the firing head actuator 36 includes an actuator housing assembly 214 which includes the equalizer valve housing 146, a housing adapter 216, an electronics housing 218, a motor housing 220, a housing adapter 222, a valve housing 224, an air chamber adapter 226, an air chamber housing 228, and lower end plug 230.
  • a battery pack 232 and an electronics package 234 are located in electronics housing 218 and are connected by power cable 236 to an electric motor 240
  • the electronics package 234 includes timer means 40.
  • An elastomeric shock absorber ball 231 is located between the upper end of battery 232 and a plug 229 received in housing adapter 216.
  • the timer means 40 includes circuitry which can be set to provide a predetermined elapsed time in the range of from one hour to seven days which will run after the timer 40 is set and before the motor 240 begins to operate.
  • the motor 240 is part of the operating means 44 in FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • the motor 240 rotates a lead screw 242 which is held longitudinally in place between bearings 244 and 246.
  • Lead screw 242 drives a threaded collar 248 upward relative to the housing assembly 214.
  • a lug 249 extends from collar 248 into slot 251 of housing adapter 222 to prevent rotation of collar 248.
  • the threaded collar 248 has an elongated slot 250 defined therein within which is received a lug 252 attached to a valve stem 254.
  • Valve stem 254 has a valve member 256 defined on a lower end thereof.
  • Valve member 256 is initially closely received within a bore 258 of air chamber adapter 226 with a pair of O-ring seals 260 sealing therebetween.
  • valve member 256 when the valve member 256 is in its lowermost position as illustrated in FIG. 5D, the O-ring seals 260 and valve member 256 block the bore 258 thus closing the atmospheric chamber 38.
  • the electronic timer 40 After the electronic timer 40 determines that the preset time delay has elapsed, it will cause the electric motor 240 to rotate the lead screw 242 thus pulling collar 248 upward. The collar 248 will move upward until a lower end 262 of slot 250 engages lug 252 and then pulls valve stem 254 upward thus pulling the O-ring seals 260 out of engagement with bore 258 thus permitting the atmospheric chamber 38 to be communicated with the lower tubing bore portion 35 through a port 264 defined in valve housing 224. This in turn causes actuating piston 60 to release firing piston 114 to fire perforating gun 28.
  • the electronic timer means 40 can be constructed in a manner similar to that disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/868,832 of Schultz et al., entitled SHUT-IN TOOLS filed Apr. 14, 1992, the details of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • the timer means 40 will be preset for a sufficient time to allow the firing head actuator 36 to be run into the tubing string 16, and landed in the landing nipple 24 prior to the time the timer means 40 times out and initiates the actuating sequence which fires perforating gun 28.
  • the firing head actuator 36 utilizing the electronic timer 40 could be modified by equipping it with a rupture disc which would be sheared due to pressure encountered at a predetermined depth and thus the electronic timer could in fact be started downhole in response to an increase in pressure. If that modification is made, however, the only advantage of the electronic timer system over the pyrotechnic time delay provided by firing head actuator 138 is that much longer time delay intervals may be programmed with the electronic timer.
  • FIGS. 1-5 The operation of the systems shown in FIGS. 1-5 can be generally summarized as follows.
  • the systems provide methods of perforating the well 10 which include a first step of assembling on the tubing string 16 the perforating gun 28 and the differential pressure firing head 26 including the actuating piston 60 having the high pressure side 92 and the low pressure side 100.
  • tubing string 16 is run into the well 10 to a location wherein the perforating gun 28 is adjacent a subsurface zone which is to be perforated.
  • the firing head actuator 36 or 138 is run into the tubing string 16 on a slick line (not shown) and landed in the landing nipple 24.
  • the firing head actuator 36 or 138 includes a low pressure chamber 38.
  • the lower pressure chamber 38 is communicated with the low pressure side of actuating piston 60 either by opening of valve element 256 for the firing head actuator 36 or firing of the shaped charge 206 to perforate wall 208 for the firing head actuator 138. This creates an upwardly acting pressure differential across the actuating piston 60.
  • the actuating piston 60 will then move upward in response to this differential pressure which will in turn release the firing piston 114 which will move downward striking firing pin 134 and initiating the pyrotechnic path 136 which will fire the perforating gun 28.
  • the well may be placed in an underbalanced position prior to landing the firing head actuator 138, but the tubing string 16 itself will have an increased pressure applied thereto in order to force the actuator piston 178 downward.
  • the time delay provided by pyrotechnic time delay devices 202 and 204 provide sufficient time for that increased pressure to be bled off before the perforating gun 28 is fired.
  • the time delay provided by pyrotechnic devices 202 and 204 may for example be on the order of six to twenty-four minutes.
  • firing head actuator 36 of FIGS. 5A-5D there is never any need for applying pressure to the tubing string 16 to fire the guns 28, so this embodiment is particularly adaptable to underbalanced perforating.
  • the electric timer means 40 is set and started before firing head actuator 36 is run into the tubing string, and when the set time expires the perforating gun 28 will be fired.
  • dual firing head 26 having two alterative means for firing of the perforating gun 28 provides increased reliability of the system.
  • a firing system like that utilizing the VannJet stinger 58 shown in FIG. 4E can encounter difficulties in operation due to the collection of debris within the tubing bore which may prevent the VannJet stinger 58 from being properly received within the VannJet firing system (not shown) which is normally lowered on wireline or slick line into engagement therewith to fire the same. If that occurs, the perforating gun 28 can then be fired through use of firing head actuator 36 or 138 which can be lowered into engagement with the landing nipple 24.
  • the choice of the pyrotechnically operated firing head actuator 138 or the electronic firing head actuator 36 will be based on well conditions and parameters including but not limited to the formation pressure, bottom hole temperature, bottom hole pressure and the desired underbalance.
  • the firing head actuator 36 including an electronic timer will lend itself well to completions where partially dry tubing is required to achieve the desired underbalance.
  • the tubing string 16 will be displaced with nitrogen, swabbed or gas lifted to the desired level.
  • the electronic timer will be started at the surface and programmed for the desired time delay. It is important to note that no explosives are associated with the firing head actuator 36 having the electronic timer and thus it is safe to arm at the surface before it is placed in the well.
  • the need to apply any pressure to start the timer is eliminated.
  • One advantage of this system over prior art devices is that the underbalance can be established and the well subsequently perforated without applying any additional pressure down the tubing or casing. This feature can be most appreciated when applied to low reservoir pressures which typically require gas lifting or a low fluid level in the tubing to achieve the desired underbalance.
  • the firing head actuator 138 of FIGS. 4A-4D utilizing pyrotechnic time delay devices may be preferable when the bottom hole temperature exceeds the operating limitations of the electronic timer 40 or when the fluid level in the well is at or near the surface.
  • the time delay provided by the pyrotechnic time delay devices will be determined per the well requirements and required bleed-off time, but generally will be in the range of from six to twenty-four minutes in duration.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Fluid-Pressure Circuits (AREA)
  • Actuator (AREA)
US08/031,161 1993-03-10 1993-03-11 Air chamber actuator for a perforating gun Expired - Fee Related US5301755A (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/031,161 US5301755A (en) 1993-03-11 1993-03-11 Air chamber actuator for a perforating gun
CA002118671A CA2118671A1 (en) 1993-03-10 1994-03-09 Air chamber actuator for a perforating gun
NO940855A NO940855L (no) 1993-03-11 1994-03-10 Luftkammer-aktuator for en perforeringskanon
DE69406331T DE69406331D1 (de) 1993-03-11 1994-03-11 Bohrlochperforationssystem
EP94301781A EP0615053B1 (de) 1993-03-11 1994-03-11 Bohrlochperforationssystem
AU57844/94A AU665144B2 (en) 1993-03-11 1994-03-11 Air chamber actuator for a perforating gun

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/031,161 US5301755A (en) 1993-03-11 1993-03-11 Air chamber actuator for a perforating gun

Publications (1)

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US5301755A true US5301755A (en) 1994-04-12

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US08/031,161 Expired - Fee Related US5301755A (en) 1993-03-10 1993-03-11 Air chamber actuator for a perforating gun

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US (1) US5301755A (de)
EP (1) EP0615053B1 (de)
AU (1) AU665144B2 (de)
CA (1) CA2118671A1 (de)
DE (1) DE69406331D1 (de)
NO (1) NO940855L (de)

Cited By (31)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5490563A (en) * 1994-11-22 1996-02-13 Halliburton Company Perforating gun actuator
US5571986A (en) * 1994-08-04 1996-11-05 Marathon Oil Company Method and apparatus for activating an electric wireline firing system
US5636692A (en) * 1995-12-11 1997-06-10 Weatherford Enterra U.S., Inc. Casing window formation
US5709265A (en) 1995-12-11 1998-01-20 Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. Wellbore window formation
US5791417A (en) 1995-09-22 1998-08-11 Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. Tubular window formation
US5934377A (en) * 1997-06-03 1999-08-10 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method for isolating hydrocarbon-containing formations intersected by a well drilled for the purpose of producing hydrocarbons therethrough
US6206100B1 (en) 1999-12-20 2001-03-27 Osca, Inc. Separable one-trip perforation and gravel pack system and method
US6253857B1 (en) 1998-11-02 2001-07-03 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Downhole hydraulic power source
US6257338B1 (en) 1998-11-02 2001-07-10 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling fluid flow within wellbore with selectively set and unset packer assembly
US6568474B2 (en) 1999-12-20 2003-05-27 Bj Services, Usa Rigless one-trip perforation and gravel pack system and method
US20040159434A1 (en) * 2000-03-02 2004-08-19 Johnson Ashley B. Providing a low pressure condition in a wellbore region
US20050217853A1 (en) * 2004-03-30 2005-10-06 Kirby Hayes Pressure-actuated perforation with continuous removal of debris
US20050217854A1 (en) * 2004-03-30 2005-10-06 Kirby Hayes Incorporated Pressure-actuated perforation with automatic fluid circulation for immediate production and removal of debris
US20070272410A1 (en) * 2006-05-23 2007-11-29 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Flow Control System For Use In A Wellbore
US20080099204A1 (en) * 2006-10-26 2008-05-01 Arrell John A Methods and apparatuses for electronic time delay and systems including same
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US20190048693A1 (en) * 2016-02-11 2019-02-14 Hunting Titan, Inc. Detonation Transfer System
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US10753184B2 (en) 2018-05-21 2020-08-25 Owen Oil Tools Lp Differential pressure firing heads for wellbore tools and related methods
US10865626B2 (en) 2017-11-29 2020-12-15 DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH Hydraulic underbalance initiated safety firing head, well completion apparatus incorporating same, and method of use
US11193358B2 (en) 2018-01-31 2021-12-07 DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH Firing head assembly, well completion device with a firing head assembly and method of use
US11346184B2 (en) 2018-07-31 2022-05-31 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Delayed drop assembly

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US8347963B2 (en) 2000-03-02 2013-01-08 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Controlling transient underbalance in a wellbore
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US20050217854A1 (en) * 2004-03-30 2005-10-06 Kirby Hayes Incorporated Pressure-actuated perforation with automatic fluid circulation for immediate production and removal of debris
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US7240733B2 (en) 2004-03-30 2007-07-10 Kirby Hayes Incorporated Pressure-actuated perforation with automatic fluid circulation for immediate production and removal of debris
US8118098B2 (en) * 2006-05-23 2012-02-21 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Flow control system and method for use in a wellbore
US20070272410A1 (en) * 2006-05-23 2007-11-29 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Flow Control System For Use In A Wellbore
US7789153B2 (en) 2006-10-26 2010-09-07 Alliant Techsystems, Inc. Methods and apparatuses for electronic time delay and systems including same
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US20080099204A1 (en) * 2006-10-26 2008-05-01 Arrell John A Methods and apparatuses for electronic time delay and systems including same
US20080110612A1 (en) * 2006-10-26 2008-05-15 Prinz Francois X Methods and apparatuses for electronic time delay and systems including same
US8967257B2 (en) 2011-04-21 2015-03-03 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and apparatus for expendable tubing-conveyed perforating gun
US8739879B2 (en) 2011-12-21 2014-06-03 Baker Hughes Incorporated Hydrostatically powered fracturing sliding sleeve
US9540913B2 (en) 2012-04-11 2017-01-10 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and apparatus for actuating a differential pressure firing head
WO2013154544A1 (en) * 2012-04-11 2013-10-17 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and apparatus for actuating a differential pressure firing head
US20130269948A1 (en) * 2012-04-16 2013-10-17 Wild Well Control, Inc. Annulus cementing tool for subsea abandonment operation
US9488024B2 (en) * 2012-04-16 2016-11-08 Wild Well Control, Inc. Annulus cementing tool for subsea abandonment operation
US8991496B2 (en) 2013-04-15 2015-03-31 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Firing head actuator for a well perforating system and method for use of same
WO2014171914A1 (en) * 2013-04-15 2014-10-23 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Firing head actuator for a well perforating system and method for use of same
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US9689240B2 (en) 2013-12-19 2017-06-27 Owen Oil Tools Lp Firing mechanism with time delay and metering system
CN106103888B (zh) * 2013-12-19 2018-10-12 欧文石油工具有限合伙公司 带时间延迟和计量系统的发火机构
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US11156067B2 (en) * 2016-02-11 2021-10-26 Hunting Titan, Inc. Detonation transfer system
US20190048693A1 (en) * 2016-02-11 2019-02-14 Hunting Titan, Inc. Detonation Transfer System
US10208570B2 (en) * 2016-02-25 2019-02-19 Geodynamics, Inc. Degradable material time delay system and method
US10253597B2 (en) 2016-02-25 2019-04-09 Geodynamics, Inc. Degradable material time delay system and method
US10156126B2 (en) 2016-02-25 2018-12-18 Geodynamics, Inc. Degradable material time delay system and method
US10865626B2 (en) 2017-11-29 2020-12-15 DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH Hydraulic underbalance initiated safety firing head, well completion apparatus incorporating same, and method of use
US11408258B2 (en) 2017-11-29 2022-08-09 DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH Hydraulic underbalance initiated safety firing head, well completion apparatus incorporating same, and method of use
US11193358B2 (en) 2018-01-31 2021-12-07 DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH Firing head assembly, well completion device with a firing head assembly and method of use
US10753184B2 (en) 2018-05-21 2020-08-25 Owen Oil Tools Lp Differential pressure firing heads for wellbore tools and related methods
US10934815B2 (en) 2018-05-21 2021-03-02 Owen Oil Tools Lp Signal transfer system for activating downhole tools and related methods
US11346184B2 (en) 2018-07-31 2022-05-31 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Delayed drop assembly
CN111502610A (zh) * 2020-05-29 2020-08-07 西安石油大学 射孔段管柱机械抑振器
CN111502610B (zh) * 2020-05-29 2021-11-30 西安石油大学 射孔段管柱机械抑振器

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AU5784494A (en) 1994-09-15
EP0615053A2 (de) 1994-09-14
EP0615053A3 (de) 1995-04-26
EP0615053B1 (de) 1997-10-22
NO940855L (no) 1994-09-12
AU665144B2 (en) 1995-12-14

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